WEDDING BLOG

For wedding planner Corina, there was only one place she wanted to marry Francisco: the oceanfront property in Montezuma, Costa Rica, where she grew up. Surrounded by towering palms, mango trees, and the Pacific Ocean, the family-owned Amor de Mar hotel became the setting for an elegant celebration with soft ivory flowers, Italian-inspired ceremony details, and 125 guests from around the world.

It was also an opportunity to share Corina’s hometown with the people they loved. The couple planned five days of celebrations, including a community gathering benefiting the local school, boat excursions, and plenty of time for guests to enjoy the coast.

Their story began thousands of miles away in Florence, Italy, where they met on Tinder. Francisco, originally from Portugal, was completing his PhD in Law and Technology, while Corina was traveling with her best friend. They met for an aperitivo at a crowded café and ended up talking for hours.

Despite the challenges of living in different places, they continued choosing each other and finding humor in the circumstances. Years later, they brought their families and friends together in Costa Rica to celebrate how far they’d come.

What We Love About This Montezuma, Costa Rica Wedding

• Corina married Francisco on the same lawn where she learned to walk as a child
• Soft ivory, white, and pale orange flowers brought understated elegance to the lush jungle setting
• Their community welcome celebration raised funds for Corina’s former school
• Corina’s brother handmade personalized ceramic espresso cups for every guest

A Wedding Planner Returns to Her Childhood Home

Corina’s parents purchased the property that would become Amor de Mar in 1991, shortly before she was born. Back then, it wasn’t a hotel. Over the years, the property developed into a boutique retreat, with her growing up alongside it.

“I learned to walk on that grass, learned to swim with my dad in the front tide pools between the rocks.” With the jungle on one side and the ocean on the other, it had always been where she imagined getting married.

Although Corina works as a destination wedding planner, preparing for her own celebration was a new experience. She had a clear vision but found it surprisingly difficult to locate inspiration that reflected what she wanted. She enlisted Bliss Weddings to help bring her ideas together, working with a team that included vendors she’d known professionally for years.

Having Costa Rican businesses handle every aspect of the wedding was particularly important. From the photographers and musicians to the catering and decor, the entire vendor team was local.

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An Italian-Inspired Ceremony Beneath the Jungle Trees

For the ceremony, Corina decided against the traditional floral arch she’d originally considered. Inspired by the couple’s connection to Italy, she worked with a local carpenter to create a low wooden platform overlooking the ocean. Two tall pedestals displayed ceramic vases overflowing with white calla lilies and hydrangeas, while smaller arrangements of peach, ivory, and rust-colored blooms added warmth and contrast. The flowers added softness against the dense jungle backdrop.

The couple chose not to have a first look, saving that moment for the ceremony. Corina walked down the aisle with her father, seeing Francisco’s reaction for the first time as she approached him.

They spent an entire year writing their vows. Exchanging them became one of the most meaningful moments of the day, which she described as “the most special, most amazing show of love, vulnerability and intimacy.”

A Surprise Appearance and an Uninvited Ceremony Guest

After the ceremony, Corina and Francisco headed toward a secluded path for their portrait session when they noticed someone standing in the bushes, waving a handkerchief. To their surprise, it was a woman she knew who hadn’t been invited to the wedding. She had quietly found a spot near the ceremony because she wanted to witness the occasion and had been crying happy tears while watching. “That was so beautiful!” she told the newlyweds before waving goodbye.

Initially bewildered, the couple soon found the situation hilarious. Corina and the unexpected guest still laugh about the encounter over coffee. Their friends also arranged a surprise appearance by the couple’s dog, Tara, who joined them for portraits.

Refined Wedding Fashion Made for the Costa Rican Climate

The couple wanted guests to embrace the opportunity to dress up, even though the wedding was taking place in a small tropical beach town. They decided against a strict black-tie dress code because of the heat, but encouraged elegant attire that suited the setting.

For her own look, Corina chose a gown from Australian bridal label Grace Loves Lace, which she discovered while shopping alone in Chicago. The dress had a fitted silhouette and a dramatically open back, giving her the refined appearance she wanted without feeling restrictive in the humidity.“It made me feel elegant but still sensual and loved that combination.” She kept her look simple with a low bun and light makeup, allowing the dress to remain the focus.

Francisco had a three-piece suit custom-tailored in Portugal, personally selecting the fabric and design. His father and four brothers also had their suits made there, creating a coordinated family look for the occasion.

Five Days of Celebrations, From Island Hopping to a Community Party

“We wanted our guests to get much more than just the wedding.” They planned five days of activities, including swimming in the tide pools, games on the lawn, pizza beneath the stars, and an evening bonfire. They also rented three private boats for a day of island hopping and snorkeling, which became one of their favorite memories of the festivities.

Instead of hosting a traditional rehearsal dinner, they organized an open community celebration with Corina’s favorite local band. A friend who owned a small Costa Rican soda restaurant, and whom she’d known since school, helped provide the food alongside other local vendors. The proceeds from food sales went to the school she had attended. At one point, more than 300 people gathered on the lawn, a reminder of how difficult it had been to limit their wedding guest list to 125.

The couple also prepared welcome baskets for guests, delivering them to their accommodations before they arrived. Each contained a personalized map illustrated by a local artist, recommendations for nearby restaurants and activities, Costa Rican coffee, sweets, ylang-ylang essential oil, and a handwritten note addressed individually to its recipient. Corina’s family helped deliver the baskets around town, making sure everyone had something waiting for them when they arrived.

From Handmade Ceramics to Salsa Dancing and a Surprise Rap Performance

“Our friends are wild, loud and rowdy. Which we love!” Although the wedding decor was elegant, the couple wanted everyone to feel comfortable and free to celebrate. A local salsa band helped get the party started, with refreshing drinks and plenty of time for guests to mingle and dance.

The reception also featured one of the couple’s most meaningful personal touches. Corina’s brother, a ceramic artist, had handmade an espresso cup for every guest. The individual pieces were placed at the tables, and the newlyweds shared the story behind them during their speech. It was her brother’s wedding gift to the couple, and she loved that they could pass it along to everyone celebrating with them.

Rather than having one large wedding cake for a formal cutting ceremony, the couple asked a friend who was a baker to prepare individual cakes for each table. “The idea was that you would cut a piece for a friend like you would at home,” making the experience more communal than a traditional cake-cutting ceremony.

The evening brought another surprise when Corina’s friend Anna, who had traveled from Australia, performed a rap for the newlyweds. Her performance drew cheers from the crowd and added even more energy to the party.

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A Wedding Planner’s Advice on Enjoying the Days Before the Celebration

Even with years of experience planning destination weddings, Corina discovered that being the bride came with challenges she hadn’t fully anticipated. Hosting loved ones while managing the final preparations was particularly demanding, especially with the wedding taking place at her family home.

“I should have been alone with Francisco having really slow days,” she admitted. Instead, they spent much of the preceding week entertaining family while finishing last-minute wedding tasks.

Her advice is to arrive at the destination a few days early, when possible, and protect that time as a couple. Having space to rest, finish preparations, and enjoy each other’s company can make a difference before the festivities begin.